[Avodah] [Areivim] dan lekaf zechus

[Chana Luntz]

Sent to avodah:

RGD writes:

> The statement was made WRT YCT that one must be dan lekaf
> zechus.  Aside from how any allegations against an 
> institution reflect on its sponsors, is there really any such chiyuv?

Well the Chinuch classifies the obligation to be dan l'kaf zechus under
mitzvah 235 "v'od yesh b'klal mitzva zu sherui l'kol adam ludon es
chavro l'kcuf zechus, v'lo yifaresh ma'asav ud'varav ele ltov" . As is
the Chinuch's wont, he explains the reason for this mitzvah to be that
there should be shalom v'reis between people and to spread peace by the
removal of suspicion between men (although he explicitly says that this
aspect of the mitzvah (ie to be dan l'chaf zechus is incumbent on women
as well as men, despite the other aspects of the mitzvah, regarding
judging as a dayan, not being so applicable).

Perhaps to turn the question around, why would you say that this mitzva
d'orita should not be applicable to YCT (meaning at the very least to
the facilty of YCT, who are the individuals most clearly being judged
here, and secondarily to its graduates, who are also clearly in the
firing line)?

> 
> Gershon
> gershon.dubin at juno.com

Regards

Chana